Dragon Skin

ABSTRACT

A multi-layered material protects armored vehicles by providing a skin which absorbs kinetic energy and heat from projectiles, such as IEDs and EFPs. The material also will resist penetration from other ordnance such as high-caliber bullets. The various layers may include inner and outer armor plating, which sandwiches a layer of Kevlar and/or Nextel, and also sandwiches a layer of fire-tempered quartz.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to multi-layered armored vehicle material which provides superior protection to armored vehicles against explosive devices such as improvised explosive devices (IED) and explosively formed penetrators (EFP).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Armored vehicles such as joint light tactical vehicles (JLTV), joint EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) rapid response vehicles (JERRV), and mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles are intended to withstand various types of explosive ordnance. However, these vehicles still can be vulnerable to attack from assailants using IEDs and EFPs. Providing armor plating that is sufficiently thick to withstand such attacks can make the vehicles too heavy and therefore insufficiently fast and/or maneuverable.

It would be desirable to be able to provide material which can be attached to armored vehicles, and which can protect the vehicles from such attacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, according to features of the present invention, multi-layered material, which is penetration-resistant and heat-resistant, is affixed to armored vehicles to provide additional protection against explosive and/or incendiary ordnance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description now follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an expanded, cutaway view of multi-layered armored vehicle material in accordance with features of the invention.

FIG. 2 is another expanded, cutaway view of multi-layered armored vehicle material in accordance with features of the invention.

FIG. 3 is an unexpanded view of multi-layered armored vehicle material in accordance with features of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In FIG. 1, a layer 1 which is made of steel or other armor plate acts as an outer layer. In some features of the invention, layer 1 may be “A” or more in thickness.

Inside that outer layer 1 is a layer 2 made of Kevlar, which is resistant to projectiles. Layer 2 also may be made of Nextel, which is a material that is heat resistant, and which also can disperse projectiles. In some features of the invention, this layer may be ¾″ or more in thickness. Layer 2 also could be made of both Kevlar and Nextel, one layer outside (or inside) the other in the arrangement of FIG. 1.

Inside layer 2 is a layer 3 which may be made of quartz, such as tempered and/or fire-treated quartz, which also is heat resistant. In some features of the invention, this layer may be ½′ to ⅝′ thick. Inside layer 3 is a layer 4, again made of steel or other armor plate.

Layer 1 faces toward an incoming projectile, IED, or EFP. Layer 4 faces toward a vehicle. In operation, explosive devices such as EFPs throw off molten copper, or slop, which can burn through armor plate. Layer 1 could resist a high-caliber bullet such as a .51 caliber machine gun bullet. In the case of an EFP, layer 1 can slow down the slop, but the slop still can burn through. Layer 2 dissipates heat, and also (in the case of Kevlar) absorbs and/or dissipates heat, so that by the time the projectile reaches layer 4, its overall energy (both kinetic energy and heat energy) are dissipated, thereby projecting the vehicle.

In combination, the layers 1-4 form a blast-resistant, heat-resistant shell which may be placed over armored vehicles, protecting them from the effects of IEDs and EFPs.

FIG. 2 shows other features of the invention, including different respective thicknesses for layers 1-4.

FIG. 3 shows the layers 1-4 bonded together as they would be to form a multi-layer material. FIG. 3 also shows other features of the invention, including different respective thicknesses for the layers 1-4.

According to features of the invention, when an explosive device propels shrapnel toward a vehicle, the shrapnel, which may be extremely heated metal such as copper, or harder material such as steel, may penetrate steel layer 1, either by puncturing it or melting through it. The Kevlar or Nextel material in layer 2 will help to absorb heat, and also to provide additional puncture resistance. The quartz material in layer 3 will provide further heat resistance. Finally, the additional steel layer 4 provides further puncture resistance.

Overall, then, it may be seen that the effect of the sequence and combination of layers 1-4 is to dissipate heat and energy from IEDs and EFPs

The various features of the invention work not only with traditional armor plating on vehicles, but also with explosive reactive armor (ERA), which also is intended to be resistant to explosive and penetrating ordnance. Embodiments of the invention augment, supplement, and/or complement ERA to provide superior protection to armored vehicles.

In addition, the various features of the invention are applicable not only to the vehicles mentioned earlier in this description, but also to other vehicles having military applications, or which otherwise might be susceptible to attack with IEDs and EFPs. Such vehicles include SUV.

The claims which follow define the scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-layered armored vehicle material comprising: a first layer comprising armor plate; a second layer, disposed beneath said first layer, and comprising a material selected from the group consisting of Kevlar and Nextel; a third layer, disposed beneath said second layer, and comprising quartz; and a fourth layer, disposed beneath said third layer, and comprising armor plate; wherein said fourth layer faces toward the armored vehicle, and said first layer faces away from the armored vehicle.
 2. A material as claimed in claim 1, wherein the armor plate in said first layer comprises steel.
 3. A material as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second layer comprises both Kevlar and Nextel.
 4. A material as claimed in claim 1, wherein said quartz comprises fire-tempered quartz.
 5. A material as claimed in claim 1, wherein the armor plate in said fourth layer comprises steel. 